Hendersonville woman struck by car dies

Published: Monday, August 19, 2013 at 6:32 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, August 19, 2013 at 6:32 p.m.

Troopers say dark clothing and heavy rain contributed to a pre-dawn crash that took the life of a stranded Hendersonville woman in Buncombe County Monday morning.

Anna Gibbs, 75, was out enjoying a motorcycle ride with her godson, 42-year-old Dalton Foster, both of Hendersonville, when they ran out of gas at 107 Mills Gap Road. State Highway Patrol Trooper Kelly Rhodes said Gibbs stayed with the bike while Foster went on foot to get fuel.

Minutes later, at 6:20 a.m., a motorist struck Gibbs in the roadway. The motorist told Rhodes that she couldn’t see Gibbs, who was wearing dark clothing, until it was too late.

“She was just about impossible to see,” Rhodes said, adding that it was pouring rain and still very dark when the accident occurred.

Another witness reported that the driver tried to avoid hitting Gibbs, but there was little she could do. Gibbs was pronounced dead at the scene.

The eastbound lane of Mills Gap Road was closed for about an hour Monday morning while Troopers investigated the scene. No charges have been filed against the driver. Rhodes said they will leave the decision of charges up to District Attorney Ronald Moore.

<p>Troopers say dark clothing and heavy rain contributed to a pre-dawn crash that took the life of a stranded Hendersonville woman in Buncombe County Monday morning.</p><p>Anna Gibbs, 75, was out enjoying a motorcycle ride with her godson, 42-year-old Dalton Foster, both of Hendersonville, when they ran out of gas at 107 Mills Gap Road. State Highway Patrol Trooper Kelly Rhodes said Gibbs stayed with the bike while Foster went on foot to get fuel.</p><p>Minutes later, at 6:20 a.m., a motorist struck Gibbs in the roadway. The motorist told Rhodes that she couldn't see Gibbs, who was wearing dark clothing, until it was too late. </p><p>“She was just about impossible to see,” Rhodes said, adding that it was pouring rain and still very dark when the accident occurred.</p><p>Another witness reported that the driver tried to avoid hitting Gibbs, but there was little she could do. Gibbs was pronounced dead at the scene.</p><p>The eastbound lane of Mills Gap Road was closed for about an hour Monday morning while Troopers investigated the scene. No charges have been filed against the driver. Rhodes said they will leave the decision of charges up to District Attorney Ronald Moore.</p>